Military

Further Reading

AT-1 SNAPPER

The first antitank guided missile to be used in the Warsaw Pact forces was the AT-1 "SNAPPER" which was launched from a UAZ-69 jeep. Although by the mid-1970s this launcher was rarely encountered with Soviet troops, it was still used in other countries of the Pact and has been exported to Yugoslavia and the Middle East.

The AT-1 "SNAPPER" is a wire guided missile with a HEAT warhead. Officially it is known to the Soviets as the 3M6, with a nickname of "Shmet", meaning bumblebee. The AT-1 has a warhead capable of penetrating 380mm of armor and a range of 2,000 meters. The AT-1 is easily recognized by its
wide wing span and pointed nose.

The UAZ-69 launch vehicle has a very distinctive appearance since the quadruple launcher with the missiles is rotated to the vertical position during travel. Both the missiles and launcher are covered with a canvas top which give the vehicle the appearance of a baby carriage. For firing the canvas ton is towered to the rear and the launcher is rotated downward to the rear of the vehicle. Since the UAZ-69 is a small vehicle no reserve rounds are carried. The two-man crew of the launcher is located in the forward compartment of the vehicle where the on-board fire control equipment is located. Off-vehicle remote control is also provided for.

The "SNAPPER" is also launched from a modified BRDM amohibious scout car. This launch vehicle carries a triple launcher which is raised for firing, with the armor plates moving to the side. As in the case of the UAZ-69 off-vehicle remote control is provided for, although the two-man crew normally operates from the forward compartment of the vehicle. This BRDM launch vehicle wass still used in a number of Warsaw Pact armies in the 1970s.